Were you injured by someone who was overserved alcohol at a bar or other licensed establishment in Chicago, Illinois? The business that kept serving them may share legal responsibility for your injuries under Illinois’s dram shop law. Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC can help you determine whether you have a viable claim and take appropriate legal action on your behalf from there.
With 100 years of combined experience and tens of millions of dollars won for our clients, our top-rated legal team is confident in going up against anyone in this area of the law and winning big. We’ll treat you like family if you hire us and ensure your case receives the full force of our attention and resources.
Call us at (224) 481-1926 for a free consultation. We can go over the specifics of your situation and offer some initial legal guidance at that time.
How Mark L. Karno & Associates Can Help With Your Dram Shop Claim in Chicago, Illinois
Dram shop cases require a specific type of evidence that goes beyond what a standard personal injury claim involves. You need to show not just that the person who injured you was intoxicated, but that the establishment continued serving them when it shouldn’t have. Building that kind of case takes experience and a thorough investigation.
Mark L. Karno & Associates knows how to handle these claims effectively. When you hire our personal injury law firm, we can:
- Investigate the establishment’s serving practices on the night of the incident
- Obtain surveillance footage, bar tabs, receipts, and server records
- Interview witnesses who were present at the time
- Document the full scope of your injuries and financial losses
- File a lawsuit against the establishment if they refuse to accept responsibility
Want to learn more about how we can help? Contact our law offices today in Chicago, IL, to set up a free initial consultation.
What Is Dram Shop Liability in Illinois?
Illinois’s Liquor Control Act, found in 235 ILCS § 5/6-21, allows injured parties to file a civil lawsuit against any licensed establishment that serves alcohol to a person who is already visibly intoxicated, if that person then goes on to cause harm. The law also applies when a licensed establishment serves alcohol to a minor.
Unlike social host liability, which is limited in Illinois, dram shop claims cast a wider net. The types of businesses that can be held liable include:
- Bars and taverns
- Restaurants
- Nightclubs
- Hotels
- Sports venues
- Any other business operating with a liquor license
The most common scenario involves a drunk driving car accident, but dram shop claims can also arise from assaults, falls, and other incidents caused by an intoxicated individual.
It’s also worth noting that the person who was overserved doesn’t have to be convicted of a crime for your dram shop claim to move forward. These are civil cases with a lower burden of proof than criminal proceedings. You need to show that the establishment’s decision to keep serving was a contributing factor in your injuries, not that the intoxicated person was found guilty of anything.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Chicago Dram Shop Liability Attorney
If a business’s decision to overserve a customer led you to suffer harm in Chicago, Illinois, state law may give you a path to compensation. Mark L. Karno & Associates has been holding negligent businesses liable in Chicago for decades and has a track record of successful results that you can depend on.
Call us at (224) 481-1926 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation today. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, we only get paid for our work if we successfully handle your case.